episode_0021

Reporter Ahn So-young from Hankook Ilbo clutched her head in frustration.

It was all because of the person her boss had assigned her to interview—no matter what it took.

So-young lifted her head slightly and glanced at the photo that had recently gone viral online.

Massive wings spread wide on either side, and the utterly radiant smile of a child nestled in her arms.

The image of the woman holding the child, smiling as though delighted by its cuteness, created a distinctly different impression from what people commonly associated with mutagens.

‘Mutagen Yoon Seo-hyun.’

That was definitely the name of the person in the photo.

Now, So-young had to go interview Seo-hyun.

‘Seriously, is this the right choice? Am I going to die doing this? Didn’t three reporters from SweetTree die not too long ago? That minotaur-type mutagen got them.’

Her thoughts spiraled into tangled chaos.

True, she wasn’t part of the notoriously sensationalist SweetTree media, but she was still very much a reporter.

And mutagens were notoriously hostile toward journalists. Approaching one for an interview?

It practically amounted to telling her to go get herself killed.

Hadn’t footage from just days ago, captured near a park, already shown just how terrifying this seemingly beautiful mutagen could be?

The towering pillar of flame that shot into the sky.

The sheer firepower, impossible to believe had come from a single individual on the spot.

Now, she was expected to chase an interview with someone who barely even seemed human anymore?

She had no choice but to protest to her boss, to insist she couldn’t do it.

She still had a long life ahead of her.

She hadn’t struggled to join one of Korea’s top three major newspapers just to die like this.

But… her attempt crumbled into nothingness instantly.

“You’re the only one for this, So-young. You’re the only one who handles mutagen-related columns in the first place. It was always your job. Besides, this particular mutagen is at the center of public attention right now. Just imagine—Hankook Ilbo publishing an article about a dragon-type mutagen. Think of the engagement we’d get!”

“But, senior, this is going too far. I really don’t want to die…”

“Hey, didn’t that piece already say she’s a really nice person? Think of this as a chance to get an exclusive, okay?”

“But the nice ones are even scarier when they snap.”

“Tch, are you seriously going to keep this up? I told you, covering mutagens has always been your thing. You were the one who jumped at this kind of work at first. What’s with the cold feet now?”

“Ugh…”

It was true. From the start, it had been So-young herself who eagerly tackled stories about mutagens. The mystique surrounding their existence had stirred something in her.

But that was before the murder of those three reporters.

After that, she made a point of avoiding mutagen-related assignments as much as possible.

She thought she could keep dodging them… But why was upper management dumping this on someone like her?

“Wait, why did this ‘higher-up directive’ come down all of a sudden?”

“Who knows? There’s talk that some higher-ups wanted to shift public perception of mutagens in a slightly more positive direction.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t know the details either. How would low-level reporters like us know what goes on in the minds of the lofty superiors? Either way, give it a shot. Just steer clear of topics that could be too sensitive or explosive.”

So-young realized there was no more room to back out. Higher-ups had probably assigned it to other reporters too, only for it to eventually trickle down to her as the lowest on the totem pole.

If she kept refusing here, things would only get harder for her.

“…Fine, alright. I’ll do it.”

“Besides, if the article blows up, it’ll be your achievement. Go easy on yourself.”

“Then why don’t you do it, senior?”

“Oh, I’ve got other assignments lined up.”

With that, her supervisor breezed out nonchalantly. Damn bastard. All talk about wanting results, yet he wouldn’t lift a finger for something like this.

She let out a heavy sigh.

Since Yoon Seo-hyun didn’t maintain any personal SNS presence, there was no way to contact her directly… which meant So-young had no choice but to physically go to Korea University.

“Guess I’ll be camping outside the university like a damn stalker for a while…”

Huh? Uh… What is happening right now?

When I stepped into the College of Humanities, some haggard-looking woman was staring at me, eyes gleaming.

Is she crazy…?

Just as I thought that, she sprinted toward me at an unbelievable speed.

I stared at the disheveled woman now standing right in front of me.

“Um, do you have a moment right now?”

“Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.”

“No, no! I’m not with any cult or anything…! I’m from Hankook Ilbo! Here—here’s my business card!”

The awkward-looking reporter hastily shoved her card at me.

Ahn So-young, Hankook Ilbo.

Wow… So it’s finally happened. A reporter.

Was my kind demeanor from three days ago enough to make someone desperate enough to gamble on interviewing me?

After what I did to that unnamed murderous minotaur—something that instilled fear in journalists—I figured most wouldn’t dare approach me.

And didn’t I just put on that dazzling fire show yesterday?

Normally, no one would even think of interviewing me… but it seemed the piece Yoon Seo’s father wrote had acted as some kind of catalyst.

Actually, this was a perfect opportunity. I wanted to tell the world that not all mutagens were bad.

“S-so, if you have some time, would you be open to a brief interview?”

“Ah, now’s a bit tough. I’ve got a lecture soon…”

“Oh, of course! I completely understand! If there’s a time that works for you, I’ll wait right here in front of the College of Humanities…!”

“Since today’s Monday… Hmm, how about around 4 PM? My last lecture should be over by then. You see that café over there? Could we meet there?”

“Yes!”

“What? A reporter?”

Towards the end of class, Han-gyeol’s eyes grew wide at the news that a reporter was waiting for me.

“Yeah, I agreed to an interview afterward.”

“Isn’t that great? Hankook Ilbo isn’t just some tabloid rag either.”

At Si-hyun’s words beside me, I nodded. True, it was definitely better than something like SweetTree.

“Right. So I’m planning to give the interview my full cooperation.”

“Just don’t say anything weird.”

“I won’t. Reporters are naturally wary anyway—mutagens haven’t exactly been kind to them.”

“…Well, yeah. Seeing what you’ve done, I doubt they’d dare ask anything too sensitive. It’s literally a matter of life and death for them.”

“That’s why I agreed. They know better than to mess with me. Ironically, that minotaur incident worked in my favor. Anyway, I should get going.”

“Take care. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“See you tomorrow, sunbae!”

“Ah, you’re here! Hello again. This is Ahn So-young from Hankook Ilbo.”

“Dragon-type mutagen, Yoon Seo-hyun.”

“Um, would it be alright to take a photo for the article…?”

“Sure, whatever.”

As soon as she saw me, So-young immediately snapped a picture. Probably for the article thumbnail.

“Then, let’s begin the interview.”

“Okay. Actually, before we start, I want to make one thing clear—I’m fully aware of how the world views mutagens, and I’m doing this interview to help shift that perception in a more positive direction, even if just a little.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. When did you become a mutagen?”

“Six months ago. The mutation started in March, and I woke up transformed in June.”

“Ah… So from mutation to transformation, it took about three months?”

“Yes. Which is why I was so disoriented by how much the world had changed.”

“Since becoming a mutagen, you’ve been involved in several major incidents—subduing a minotaur-type mutagen, the episode at the park…”

“Ah, haha. About that minotaur… The café where he went berserk was right in front of my boarding house. So I figured I had to stop him fast.”

“Were you confident you could actually subdue him?”

“Yeah. It was a baseless confidence, honestly… but something told me I wouldn’t lose. Turns out I was right—it ended up being an easy fight.”

“Rumors say you summoned lightning…”

“I can control lightning and fire. I can also unfurl wings, but they’re too big, so I usually keep them tucked away.”

“Most people wouldn’t step forward like that, even if it was right in front of their home. What compelled you to act?”

“The first thing I heard after waking up was how the world perceives mutagens. Reports about rampaging mutagens, incidents worldwide—like that minotaur… And I thought, ‘I can’t be like that.’ Even as a mutagen, I’m still a member of society. I wanted people to know—not all mutagens are bad.”

“Ah… I wish more mutagens thought like you. By the way, you’re currently a student at Korea University. With abilities like yours, you could easily make a living as-is. Why insist on continuing your studies?”

“Hmm… I didn’t want all the effort I put in before my mutation to go to waste. I worked incredibly hard to get into Korea University. Even though I can do things now that place me far beyond ‘ordinary,’ none of that diminishes the value of my past efforts. That’s why I’m determined to graduate.”

“What do you plan to do after graduation? Personally, you have the visuals to go into modeling.”

“Well… I’ll figure that out later. I don’t believe these powers were given to me just for my own convenience—if there’s a way to use them for public good, then that’s what I want to do. Of course… that’s assuming my circumstances permit.”

I smiled faintly as I spoke. It was the first time I’d openly shared these thoughts without holding back.